Marquette University e-Publications@Marquette History Faculty Research and Publications History, Department of 12-1-2015 Housing Projects and Cityscape in Vienna: Apartment Buildings as Fortresses from Metaphor to Reality Michael J. Zeps S.J. Marquette University,
[email protected] Unpublished paper. © 2015 The Author. Used with permission. Housing Projects and Cityscape in Vienna: Apartment Buildings as Fortresses from Metaphor to Reality Michael J. Zeps History Department, Marquette University Milwaukee, WI “But every metaphor that life shatters implies a loss of hu- man freedom. For freedom can exist only so long as fi ctions and metaphors are stronger than crude reality, and thus up- hold our dignity. In fact every shattered metaphor is nothing but the fl ag of human freedom trodden into the dust--in this case red and white.”1 The problem of whether public housing projects in Vienna were located and designed with military considerations in mind will not go away. The scorn of Ursula Prokop2 at the idea that the complex at Friedrich-Engels-Platz contained any military intent based on studying Rudolf Perco’s designs and notes, for example, can be found earlier in stronger language when the Hautmann brothers register “Homeric laughter” at similar thoughts.3 Anson Rabinbach is suspicious when he looks at the military possibilities to be found in pools, gardens, playgrounds and the like, but later in the same work he expresses certainty without, however, providing any evidence, “There can be no doubt that the houses were built with a military purpose in mind, as structures to be defended with force…”4 Generally accepted views, though, seem to follow Kurt Peball with his cool and sober dismissal of the notion for lack of documentary evidence.5 It is hard to disagree with one part of Peball’s argument that at least some of the 370 or so projects found themselves of necessity at strategic locations near bridges, major intersections, army bases, railroad terminals and the like due to sheer numbers.